The poverty
rate in Bhutan was 23.4% in 2007. In 2008, under the wise leadership and guidance of His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Fourth King, the new democracy system was instituted. Without any experience, the public has to make choice between two parties; People Democratic Party (aka PDP) and Druk Phuensum Tshogpo( aka DPT). The people were nervous, and loss in disbelief to the new system. Until now people of Bhutan were nurtured and
fostered with unlimited blessings from the monarchs. They are happy that His Majesty the King will be there for all the time for the people.
In due course, they had to move on with the new system. The leaders played their own role in deepening the democracy root from the start to make sure that Bhutan doesn’t suffer the same political fate in our neighboring countries. We had the opportunities to learn from other's mistakes being late from others to usher democracy. However, this does not guarantee that we can tap the perfect system and we must be ready to learn from own mistakes and layout self-corrective measures.
We are always reassured by our Druk Gyalpo His Majesty the King's constant inspiration to the government and people in ushering to the new system with lots of hopes and aspirations. we also thank the first government led by Hon'ble Prime Minister Lynchoen Jigme Y. Thinley for successfully completing the term.
We are always reassured by our Druk Gyalpo His Majesty the King's constant inspiration to the government and people in ushering to the new system with lots of hopes and aspirations. we also thank the first government led by Hon'ble Prime Minister Lynchoen Jigme Y. Thinley for successfully completing the term.
Meanwhile, after the address of the Nation Report by the Prime Minister on the Reduction of Poverty
Rate in the last five years, it has been taken to the central storm for discussion in both mainstream and social media, and talking point at the gatherings in a bar. Some raised their doubts about the indicators used to calculate the poverty rate. As per the National Statistical Bureau based Bhutan Living Standard Survey 2012(yet to release) to the
economic dimension covering 8,968 household across the country, there is a drastic reduction in the poverty rate in last five years taking from 23.4.% in 2007 to 12.04% in 2013.
Now whom to believe? No economist has come out to clarify the issue. Then the Government, DPT and Opposition, PDP continues to disagree with each other. The people had no option to believe than NSB since there was no other source to confirm who and how it is right. Looking to the report, it is mentioned that the survey conducted was inclusive of every parameter of the section of the society and regions; filthy rich to poorest, economically deprived village to the center of unbelievable economics hub city are accounted during the survey. Now all people are waiting for the report on Bhutan Living Standard Survey to be published by NSB sampled 8, 968 households using 23 poverty indicators(Bhutan Observer, 15th March 2013). I hope report will have all details to clarify the doubts in the society.
One can not deny that there are a lot of improvements in the village due to new development activities particularly remote villages have been benefited by the farm road. We can still debate on the quality of the road but at least it has given the excitement and hope to people. People in the villages can sell their products due to access of motorable roads, no children are left for farming - access to education, health facility are taken to their doors and many have become self-sufficient. Of course, these are basic in the town for a long time. In the urban, there was a lot of infrastructure development like extended town plans and buildings coming up in the last five years are before our eyes. At the same time, we must also not forget at what cost these developments are taking place.
The statistics speak a lot though but the comparative standard analysis would be a far more real in the ground. While surveying, people could have overreacted when they have suddenly roads, electricity and other opportunities, we must see this has consistency ration in another two to three years. There will be a change in priority and the poverty ratio may again rise.
Moving forward, let ratio be what it is, the unemployment in the country is on the rise; the rural-urban migration is taking to another height - Gungtong problem in the village, and inflation is bearable to the middle and low-income group.
Now whom to believe? No economist has come out to clarify the issue. Then the Government, DPT and Opposition, PDP continues to disagree with each other. The people had no option to believe than NSB since there was no other source to confirm who and how it is right. Looking to the report, it is mentioned that the survey conducted was inclusive of every parameter of the section of the society and regions; filthy rich to poorest, economically deprived village to the center of unbelievable economics hub city are accounted during the survey. Now all people are waiting for the report on Bhutan Living Standard Survey to be published by NSB sampled 8, 968 households using 23 poverty indicators(Bhutan Observer, 15th March 2013). I hope report will have all details to clarify the doubts in the society.
One can not deny that there are a lot of improvements in the village due to new development activities particularly remote villages have been benefited by the farm road. We can still debate on the quality of the road but at least it has given the excitement and hope to people. People in the villages can sell their products due to access of motorable roads, no children are left for farming - access to education, health facility are taken to their doors and many have become self-sufficient. Of course, these are basic in the town for a long time. In the urban, there was a lot of infrastructure development like extended town plans and buildings coming up in the last five years are before our eyes. At the same time, we must also not forget at what cost these developments are taking place.
The statistics speak a lot though but the comparative standard analysis would be a far more real in the ground. While surveying, people could have overreacted when they have suddenly roads, electricity and other opportunities, we must see this has consistency ration in another two to three years. There will be a change in priority and the poverty ratio may again rise.
Moving forward, let ratio be what it is, the unemployment in the country is on the rise; the rural-urban migration is taking to another height - Gungtong problem in the village, and inflation is bearable to the middle and low-income group.
Bhutan must have achieved unprecedented development in the last five years and there seem to be an equal odds rising its bar on its own pace. I feel we should not be debating only on the economic front of poverty but also on other social aspects. The time has changed with globalization,
technology developments and political leaders must grow with the time and space and see people's concern as did for the last four generations by our successive monarchs. All in all the
poverty creates vulnerability, dependence and also deprive of the productive
energy of the country contributing to the destabilization in the society and creating social
unrest in generations to come. Therefore, I don't think we have to fight on the statistic of the poverty.
(Views expressed are personal and doesn't reflect any individual or institution's stand including organization i work. No lines will be quoted unless permission is granted by author.)
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